Repository:
Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.

Abstract: Official and personal correspondence, reports, legal briefs, speeches, publications, photographs, newspaper clippings, and
miscellaneous material; also included is correspondence dealing with Loomis' involvement in crises relating to Venezuela,
Santo Domingo, and Panama, his role during negotioation of the Russo-Japanese War, and his participation in Republan politics
during the years 1898-1912; post World War I correspondence focuses on such varied topics as the Japanese question in California,
the importance of newspapers in forming public opinion, and consular reform and political issues; numerous Presidents of the
U.S. and other notable figures of the period are represented.

Language:
English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research; materials must be requested at least 24 hours in advance of intended use.

Publication Rights

Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To obtain
permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.

The major portion of the collection was given by Miss Florence I. Loomis in April 1964. The bound volumes of outgoing correspondence
and a number of books were given to the Hoover Institution in April 1962. In 1964 these items were transferred from Hoover
and added to Miss Loomis' gift to Special Collections.

Biographical Note

Francis B. Loomis' service with the State Department came during a critical period in American history. Both at home and abroad,
he helped mold policy at a time when the Spanish-American War was being fought, when Japan was beginning to feel her strength
in the Pacific, when the preliminary maneuvers for the construction of the Panama Canal were in progress, and when American
economic imperialism was at its height. The diplomatic phase of his career seemed remarkable, but he was no less successful
in his other varied endeavors. Loomis enjoyed success as a newspaper man, a political publicist, and a key figure in the U.S.
oil industry.

Loomis' ancestors came to Windsor, Connecticut, from Braintree, England, in 1638 as part of the Puritan emigration from England.
The family home at Windsor still stands as the Loomis Institute, dedicated to offering free education to deserving youngsters
from twelve to twenty years old. Mr. Loomis, born in Marietta, Ohio, on July 27, 1861, was the son of Judge William B. and
Frances (Wheeler) Loomis. He graduated from Marietta College in 1883 and joined the staff of the
New York Tribune shortly thereafter. His involvement with politics began at the relatively early age of twenty-three when he worked on the
James G. Blaine campaign of 1884 as head of the press bureau of the Republican National Committee. In this position Loomis
was able to form friendships with Mr. Blaine, Senator Foraker, and many leaders of the Republican party. After Blaine's defeat,
Loomis returned to Ohio to serve as State Librarian for two years. In 1887 he became the Washington correspondent for the
Philadelphia Press. The following year Loomis reassumed his position as press agent for the Republican party's presidential nominee, Benjamin
Harrison.

With President Harrison's victory, Loomis was appointed U.S. Consul to St. Etienne. France, a position he assumed in 1890.
For the next three years he gave particular attention to the study of industrial conditions in Europe. Upon his return to
the United States, he became Editor-in-Chief of the
Cincinnati Daily Tribune. Once again Loomis was drafted to serve the Republican party. William McKinley called him to Canton. Ohio to aid his presidential
campaign.

Shortly after his marriage to Elizabeth Mast of Springfield, Ohio he was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
to Venezuela. Loomis' actions in Venezuela were either damned or praised, depending upon viewpoint. His detractors accused
him of using American prestige and economic power to force business concessions abroad. His friends insisted that his only
object was to improve trade relations between the United States and Venezuela. Loomis' service in Venezuela was quite active.
He provided intelligence reports on the location of Admiral Cervera's fleet during the Spanish-American War; he explored trade
possibilities during a trip up the Orinoco River aboard the
Wilmington in 1898; he successfully negotiated several commercial treaties; and he energetically defended American interests in Venezuela.

In 1901 Loomis was appointed Minister to Portugal, a post he held until 1902 when he was recalled and appointed First Assistant
Secretary of State. As First Assistant Secretary he served under John Hay, assuming more and more responsibility for the department
as Hay's health deteriorated. With Hay's death in 1905, he became Secretary of State
ad interim until Taft accepted the appointment. He was the first person to have served through all the grades of consular service and
became its directing head in Washington.

Loomis was clearly a key figure in the implementation and formulation of Theodore Roosevelt's Panama policy. When it became
clear that Colombia would not ratify the Hay-Herran treaty, he contacted John Basset Moore, an authority on international
law, who concluded that Colombia was not in a position to obstruct the building of the canal. No doubt Loomis had been heavily
influenced by Philippe Bunau-Varilla, whose commitment to the Panama route was decisive to the revolution. The two corresponded
regularly from as early as 1902. Indeed, it is thought that it was Loomis who sent a telegram to the American representative
in Panama to inform him that a revolution was in progress several hours before it had begun.

As Assistant Secretary, Loomis made many other major contributions to foreign policy. He played a large part in the settlement
of the Santo Domingo financial problems of 1903, going to Santo Domingo to personally investigate and recommend solutions.
He instigated and implemented the first trade agreement between the United States and Abyssinia. (It was while carrying this
document to Abyssinia in 1904 aboard the
Kaiser Wilhelm II that his brother, F. Kent Loomis, fell or was thrown overboard.) Loomis was closely connected with the negotiations which
surrounded the Russo-Japanese War settlement. He weathered the scandal of the Bowen Affair. At the time of Hay's death he
was in France as special envoy to claim the remains of John Paul Jones.

The strain of intense diplomatic activity, the Bowen Affair, and his brother's death took their toll. In October, 1905, Francis
Loomis resigned as First Assistant Secretary of State with the understanding that he would be employed for special missions
only. The succeeding years were occupied with speaking engagements, activities on behalf of the American Red Cross, and personal
business. His interest in Japan and Japanese affairs, which developed as a result of his role during the Russo-Japanese negotiations,
led to a presidential appointment in 1908 as special envoy to Japan and chairman of the American commission to plan participation
in the Tokyo Exposition. More importantly, his presence in Japan was designed to remove any suggestion of menace, which President
Roosevelt feared might be aroused in the minds of the Japanese people by his sending the American fleet around the world.

Upon his return to the United States, Loomis became involved with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Republican
politics. In 1912 he was appointed United States Commissioner General to the Exposition at Turin, Italy, and served in a similar
capacity to the Berlin International Exposition Congress.

Always a newspaper man at heart, Loomis made an attempt to purchase the
Oakland Tribune with Alfred Holman. The negotiations were unsuccessful. However, he was captivated by California and moved his family to Burlingame
in 1914. Soon after, he joined the staff of Standard Oil Company as a foreign trade adviser. Though his position de manded
that he travel extensively, he still managed active participation in California affairs. As a charter member of the Japanese
Society of America, he endeavored to promote better relations between the Japanese and Caucasians in California. He visited
Japan in 1922 and assisted in organizing a program to aid the Tokyo earthquake victims in 1923. Additionally, he continued
his activities for the Republican Party, was a member of several clubs in the Bay Area, and continued his copious correspondence.
Mr. Loomis retired from Standard Oil Company in 1941 at the age of eighty. He died on August 6, 1948.

His papers reveal the extent to which one individual may influence the path of history. A man recognized by his peers, but
largely unfamiliar to the public, Loomis played a formative role in Republican politics and an aggressive U.S. foreign policy.
His career illustrated his belief in fulfilling the Manifest Destiny of his generation.

Scope and Content

The Francis B. Loomis Papers reflect one of the most dynamic periods of American Historythe era of the Monroe Doctrine, of
American imperialism, and of Theodore Roosevelt's political vitality. This collection includes official and personal correspondence,
reports, legal briefs, speeches, publications, photographs, newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous material. Of particular
importance is correspondence dealing with Loomis' involvement in crises relating to Venezuela, Santo Domingo, and the Panama
Canal; his role during negotiation of the Russo-Japanese War; and his participation in Republican politics during the years
1898-1912.

Post World War I correspondence, ancillary to the main questions raised by the papers, focuses on such varied topics as the
Japanese question in California, the importance of newspapers in forming public opinion, and of course, Loomis' continued
interest in consular reform and political issues. Unfortunately, the collection suffers from some major omissions. Few items
relate to Loomis' career with Standard Oil Company from 1914-1941. Additionally, there is a significant absence of correspondence
between Mr. Loomis and Bunau-Varilla before November 12, 1903, although it is known that they corresponded as early as 1902.

These papers provide perspectives on issues which concern modern researchers, such as nationalism in the Canal Zone, U.S.-Latin
American relations, the inner workings of the two party system, and effective consular representation abroad. Close examination
of the material raises as many questions as it provides answers. This obvious paradox makes the Loomis Papers most valuable
to the student of American history in that it provides important incentive for further investigation.

Editorial Procedures

The microfilm edition of the Francis B. Loomis Papers consists of nine rolls of film and represents six linear feet. It has
been filmed in accordance with specifications of the Technical Standards for Microfilm Documentary Publication Projects prepared
by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

The physical characteristics of this collection necessitated filming the incoming and cutgoing correspondence separately.
Incoming letters have been arranged alphabetically by sender. Items with illegible signatures were placed at the end of the
alphabetical sequence. The outgoing correspondence, much of which was contained in letterbooks, was arranged chronologically.
Whenever possible, undated material was marked with a date enclosed in brackets. Where exact dating was not possible, the
documents were placed at the end of the appropriate month or year. Indices of incoming and outgoing correspondence have been
included in the microfilm edition.

In order to retain the integrity of the scrapbooks, certain correspondence and publications have been left in their original
locations. Clippings, however, found in the scrapbooks have been arranged in loose chronological order, and placed following
the book in which they were previously field.

Targets have been placed before documents to indicate a defective original, a fragment, folder numbers, and series titles.
Original documents precede copies or translations. Enclosures follow the covering letter.

Those items such as photographs and scrapbooks that could not be included in a chronological framework were arranged by series.
The collection has been dividend in the following manner: Incoming Correspondence; Outgoing Correspondence; Career Records;
Biographical Information, Speeches, and Articles; Photographs; Scrapbooks and Clippings; and
Descendants of Joseph Loomis in America.

Acknowledgements

The reorganization and microfilming of the Francis B. Loomis Papers were made possible by the support of the Tinker Foundation
and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. In providing financial assistance for this project, these
organizations have made a valuable contribution to the dissemination of important historical information.

Patricia J. Palmer, head of the Manuscripts Division, has directed the Loomis project with her usual tact and patience. Michele
Leiser's invaluable editorial suggestions merit special thanks, as do the efforts of our conscientious typists. Martha Lewis,
Melinda Jalone, and Joan Zwiep. Grateful recognition is also due the Special Collections Department and the administrative
offices of the Stanford University Libraries.

I would like to acknowledge the excellent and uncomplaining service rendered by Herb Larson, microphotographer, and the valuable
assistance of James M'Guinness of the Stanford University Publications Service. As always, Fred Shelley of the National Historical
Publications and Records Commission offered his encouragement and support.

Lynn M. Jimnez

Editor

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Barrett, John.

Beasley, Delilah L.

Bowen, Herbert.

Bryce, James, Viscount, 1838-1922.

Bunau-Varilla, Philippe, 1859_1940.

Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947.

Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919.

Davison, Henry Pomeroy.

Dolge, Rudolf.

Foraker, Joseph Benson, 1846-1917.

Griscom, Lloyd C.

Hanna, Marcus Alonzo, 1837-1904.

Harding, Warren G. (Warren Gamaliel), 1865-1923.

Harrison, Benjamin, 1833-1901.

Hay, John, 1838-1905.

Hill, David Jayne.

Holman, Alfred H.

Hoover, Herbert, 1874-1964.

Hughes, Charles Evans, 1862-1948.

Hull, Cordell, 1871-

Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792.

Kahn, Julius, 1861-1924.

Kellogg, Frank B.

Knox, Philander.

Lodge, Henry Cabbot, 1850-1924.

Moore, John Bassett.

Morse, Samuel F. B.

Reid, J. Whitelaw, 1837-1912.

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919.

Root, Elihu, 1845-1937.

Skinner, Robert Peet, 1866-1960.

Stimson, Henry Lewis, 1867-1950.

Straus, Oscar Solomon, 1850-1926.

Taft, Robert A.

Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930.

Thaddeus, Henry J.

Warren, Charles, 1868-1954.

Welles, Sumner, 1892-

Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927.

Young, Ella, 1867-1956.

Republican Party (U.S.).

Presidents--United States--Election.

Political conventions.

United States--Foreign relations.

Japan.

Panama Canal.

Portugal.

Venezuela.

Portraits

Administrative Information

Index I

Note

This index is a unified index to both the original collection as well as the microfrom collection. Each folder within the
entire collection is numbered uniquely throughout the collection and is not repeated; therefore, the folder listed in the
index entry serves as a unique identifier for the location of the materials, just as the roll number provides a unique reference
to the roll in which the item is to be found.

In the Matter of Mr. Herbert M. Bowen, United States Minister to Venezuela, Against Mr. Francis B. Loomis, First Assistant
Secretary of State, and the Counter Charges of Mr. Loomis Against Mr. Bowen.
Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1905.

In the Matter of United States and Venezuela Company Against the United States of Venezuela. n.p., [1905].

In the Matter of United States and Venezuela Company Against the United States of Venezuela, Brief for Petitioner. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, [1905].

Memorandum for the Secretary of State on the Dominion Republic. n.p., [1904].

Opening Argument and Reply for the United States by William I., Penfield before the Arbitration Tribunal of The Hague. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1903.

Special Message of the President of the United States Concerning the Panama Canal. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1906.

The Italo Ethiopian Dispute Abstracts from the Memorandum of the Italian Government to the League of Nations. Rome: Societa Editrice di Novissima, 1935.

Santo Domingo. Reprint from the
New York Commercial, April 20, 1906.

Santo Domingo Treaty. Reprint from the
Evening Post of New York, March II, 1905.

The Santo Domingo Treaty and Its Relation to the Commercial Interests of the United States. Report by the Committee on Foreign
and Insular Trade, New York Board of Trade and Transportation.
New York, March 28, 1906. n.p., n.d.

Proposed Reorganization of the Consular Service.
The North American Review 182 (1906): 356-373.

Eminent Leaders of the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross Courier. March 1, 1928: 13.

Published Speeches by Francis B. Loomis

Address of Welcome on Behalf of the President, to the Delegates to the Twelfth Conference of the Interparliamentary Union.
Delivered at St. Louis, September 12, 1904,
Advocate of Peace 66 (1904): 185-187.

Attitude of the United States Towards Other American Powers. Reprinted from
The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. July 1905. n.p., n.d.

The Position of the United States on the American Continent. Annual Address at Philadelphia, April 17, 1903: n.p., n.d.

The Position of the United States on the American Continent, Some Phases of the Monroe Doctrine. Reprinted from
The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. July 1903, Philadelphia: n.p., n.d.

Remarks...At the International Dinner of The New York Southern Society. April 26, 1906. Washington, D.C.: Press of Gibson
Brothers, 1906.

Some Phases of the Panama Question Delivered at the Twill Club, New York, December 15, 1903. n.p., n.d.

Further information on Loomis' career can be found in Theodore Roosevelt's Papers, John Hay's Papers, and various collections
which deal with particular foreign policy questions for the period between 1890-1912.